Is my Linkia starving or what?

[reefin101]

Not sure what exactly is going on, but any thoughts or suggestions? If he's hungry how or what to feed? I have shot some frozen food his way lately, but not sure he really is getting anything. The spots seem to be worsening and there are some on another leg...

Don't mind messy acrylic:jaw:

 

[3Twinklets]

did you acclimate him correctly? Starfish have a very explicit acclimation procedure. Looks like RTN if I am not mistaken.

 

[ritter6788]

Yes it's starving/dying.

I don't think anyone really knows what they eat or what they need. The survival rate on these is very low.

 

[reefin101]

he has been with me for about 1.5yrs......

So acclimation issues should be out!:wink:

 

[H2O]

blue linka star fish only feeds on alergy witch looks like u have enough of that but the water parameters must be kept 100% at all times check no3,po4 my money is on these 2 also you must keep the rodi water 0-3 tds. anyway it has to be something with water not food.

 

[reefin101]

O algae in tank, just that 2 week of no acrylic cleaning with this pic.

PO4 is 0 measured with hanna ULR. at most been .01-.02ppm po4
Nitrate is 0
TDS out of membrane is 2-3 and out of DI is 0.

water params are basically perfect.
CAL; 440
ALK; 8.5
ppt 35

This is an SPS dominate tank and all corals are good growth and color.

 

[TrueReef]

Yes it's starving/dying.

I don't think anyone really knows what they eat or what they need. The survival rate on these is very low.

+1 I've never had any luck with these either. I stopped buying them after the second or third one. :tongue:

 

[mc-cro]

It could be an injury, or stress signs(starvation) either way, I think the writing is on the wall for this one.

If you have had him for 1.5yrs, count yourself lucky. most dont last but a few months. The longest I think I have kept one is 2-3yrs

 

[Pkunk35]

Here's some reading that is on topic...unfortunately perhaps not ultimately useful since there just isn't much to do with sick starfish:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/linckiafaqs.htm

I thought this response was really interesting...I bolded an interesting part that I have never heard of before:

"Re: Orange Linckia (Target Feeding Deposit feeders/ Sea stars) What is the best way to feed these guys ? 29 gal tank with 2 bags live sand and 35 pounds of live rock. Tank only a couple of months old. <hmmm... going to be challenging here to be honest. Most would say the tank is too small to conceivably support a sea star. If possible, small daily feedings of a great variety of foods (green and meaty). Perhaps consider making a homemade food recipe (many on the net and in Bob's book, on WetWebMedia, etc)... freeze all in party cube trays and offer the star a food cube daily (mixed nutritious fare with vitamins) from the substrate> Have 2 clowns, 1 horseshoe, <Doh! er... Horseshoe crab? Forgetting the adult size of about 12" in diameter... there will be no easy way of providing enough food in the sand to keep this crab alive in such a small tank. Too bad... indeed a fascinating creature. My string advice is to get this crab to an aquarist with at least a 200 gallon tank and DSB. In the meantime, bury mysids in the same place daily just under the sand (other meaty foods too of course for variety)> 1 linkia,2 skunk cleaners shrimp. I feed spectrum daily as well as Mysis shrimp (every other day), I have a few shrimp left on the sand when creatures are done eating. Can I hand feed a Linckia??? <yep> Small children perhaps?? <only if they misbehave or seem inclined to vote Democrat in the future> Thanks a lot for your response. Ron <my great pleasure... best regards, Anthony>"

Reefin101, my pure speculation as to what is going on with your linckia is that it was feeding on something in the tank that is now gone and it is slowly starving. This happens to a lot of animals that feed incidentally in the tank without supplemental feeding by the owner. If he's gong downhill, perhaps experiment with some hand feeding of mysis or perhaps some Fauna pellets if you have? I doubt it will work though as I think the linckia is probably doomed as mc-cro stated.

 

[reefin101]

ok, I will continue to try to feed him. Just seems thoght with these type of starfish, they don't get excited or move for food let alone much anything else. They just kind of "Hang" out.

Would getting some type of pods to add to the tank help? Anyone know of a type that would be better to try?

 

[Pkunk35]

I have a weird suggestion if no others...try getting a tube worm encrusted rock or other kind of live rock from someone else's tank. Perhaps the star will feed on the tube worms or other life on rock.

Also maybe kick up just a bit of sand if you have a bed to release detritus. That's a stretch i think tho but worth a shot.

IMO no on pods because they scrape and feed on stuff on rocks that the star may feed on too.